A former U.S. Forest Service ranger was ordered this week to pay a disabled Afghanistan war veteran and another man almost $600,000 after a federal judge ruled that the ranger violated their civil rights by using excessive force during their 2014 arrests at the Juan Tomas campground in the mountains east of Albuquerque.

State vs. C.O. Our client was charged with trafficking and possession of a controlled substance and other charges. The case was dismissed by the prosecution after our client won a motion to suppress (exclude at trial) all evidence obtained by law enforcement as a result of unlawful and unconstitutional means and in violation of our client’s rights under the United States Constitution.

A Black motorist was stopped without probable cause and forced against his will to submit a blood sample by the Hobbs Police Department. The jury awarded approximately $600,000 for the violation of his Fourth Amendment right to be free from unlawful search and seizure. Attorney’s fees and costs were awarded by the Court.

Personal injury resulting in traumatic brain injury from a motorcycle crash. Case settled for approximately $750,000. The jury awarded a verdict of approximately $385,000 against the State of New Mexico Department Transportation.